On May 26, 2011, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak oversaw one of the IDF's most historic internal events when he approved the promotion of Brigadier General Orna Barbivai to Major General and to the head of the IDF Manpower Directorate. Barbivai became the first female ever to attain the rank of Major General in the IDF.

Major General Barbivai has become a leader for women commanders in the IDF. In May 2005, she had also become the first woman to head an IDF corps when she took over the Adjutant Corps. Since that appointment she has served in a few other roles before reaching her current position. Her other positions in that time include: Head of the Ground Forces Manpower Section (2006-2008) and Human Resources Directorate Administrator in the Manpower Directorate (2008-2011).

Barbivai holds a Bachelor's Degree in Social Sciences and Humanities from Ben Gurion University and a Master of Business Administration Degree from the University of Haifa. She is also the graduate of the "Turn-point" administration course for senior military officials.